When I learned that reality TV fashionista, Kim Kardashian, had co-founded ShoeDazzle, The World’s Premier Shoe Society, I was immediately intrigued by the concept. Kim is an experienced stylist and retailer. She has styled many celebrities and co-owns D-A-S-H with her sisters. ShoeDazzle would be launched with all the shoes priced at $39 including shipping. Each month, society members’ personal ShoeDazzle stylists would recommend five styles. Members would then pick 1 pair to be delivered. A revolutionary way to shop for shoes online indeed.

The Process

Of course being all about shoes, I had to check ShoeDazzle out for myself. I contacted ShoeDazzle Customer Service and inquired as to the origin of the shoes and wanted to find out if they were eco. I first received an auto reply and then an actual person replied to me within 24 hours. The response was “all of the shoes constructed with man-made materials and therefore vegan.” Mystery solved, sign me up!

Enrolling is easy. I answered 21 simple questions with photographs of runway fashions, shoes, fashion brands, and celebrities; demographic info such as, age, sizes and color preferences. The survey is meant to give the stylists an idea of my individual fashion tastes. I then registered my email and credit information. I would only be charged after I placed my first shoe order. A day later, ShoeDazzle sent me an email notification that my stylists had made five great shoe selections for me to review in my “personal showroom”. Talk about appealing to a fashionista-ego. Once I logged in to ShoeDazzle, as promised, their were 5 glorious pairs of shoes. I must admit, it was slightly difficult for me to pick just one pair; my stylists recommendations for me were spot on. If I were visiting a shoe store, I would have definitely targeted in on the shoes they selected. The styles ranged from flats, pumps and stilettos. I vacillated several times before settling on the Michael Antonio Sandals. Mainly because they were black and the most versatile of the shoe selections. Coincidentally, they were selected by Kim. I received confirmation emails when my order was, placed and then shipped. ShoeDazzle uses FedEx and I was able to track my shoes delivery process with automated emails.

Delicious ShoeDazzle Box

My heart started racing after I got the call from the concierge in my building that my FedEx package had been delivered. The ShoeDazzle box has a delicious pink top with a lavender and pink floral design on the bottom. The lid remains affixed to the box making the reveal of the shoes all the more dramatic. Once opened, neatly placed inside the box was a Pashmina scarf. What a pleasant surprise! The scarf was my gift for being a first-time customer. Also included was a pretty pink shoe bag for my new darlings. Great for traveling. ShoeDazzle included a welcome letter, packing slip and return label. Shoes can be returned or exchanged within 30 days of delivery. There is a $5.95 return shipping fee…blah, blah, blah.

My ShoeDazzle Shoes

The Shoes

I carefully separated the lavender tissue paper to uncover my gorgeous new Michael Antonio Black sandals. The embossed faux leather textured shoes have a .75″ platform base with a 4″ stiletto heel. Because I have a narrow foot, there is a little space between between the top upper thick strap designed to caress the foot. I plan to fix that with Dr. Scholls or SummerSoles insoles, which are great for the heat of Summer. (In case you’re wondering, I’ve searched for eco insoles, but haven’t found any appropriate for sandals) Because the shoes are vegan and not leather, there won’t be the issue of the shoes stretching. I’m in love with the silhouette of this sandal. Michael Antonio knows how to design a shoe for women’s legs and feet. I put my new shoes to the test by walking around on hardwood, ceramic tile, and carpet. I even slept in them. Insane I know. 🙂 These vegan shoes were made for strutting not sleeping, but the fact that I didn’t kick them off during the night says a lot.

Cons: The insole is “lightly” padded.

Pro: Solid construction, sexy, goes with any look.

ShoeDazzle

The shopping experience with ShoeDazzle is secure and the company is a member of the Better Business Bureau. Customer Service was responsive and friendly I can’t wait until my closet is full of more cute ShoeDazzle boxes. All shoe lovers should get ShoeDazzled! To get started, visit http.www.shoedazzle.com. I’d love to compare stylists selections with you.

Well vegan shoe lovers, I have just opened my first shipment from ShoeDazzle. Kim Kardashian, Chief Fashion Stylist and Co-Founder of ShoeDazzle selected the sexy Michael Antonio, Artemisa vegan stiletto sandal for me. I love them! I’ve been wearing them since I finished taking the pictures for you (please excuse the quality, I used my iPhone).

1st ShoeDazzle Society Shipment-March 2009

Based on my initial experience with ShoeDazzle I’m pleased and will continue my membership in the ShoeDazzle Society–only $39! I will share more about my experience with the company in my next post. I just had to give you a taste for now. In the meantime, you can find out how the ShoeDazzle’s Shoe Society works by visiting www.shoedazzle.com

Payless ShoeSource announce plans to launch the first-ever affordable green footwear line due in stores early next year and that it has signed an agreement with Summer Rayne Oakes, Discovery Network’s Planet Green fashion and beauty expert and author of Style, Naturally: The Savvy Shopping Guide to Sustainable Fashion & Beauty (Chronicle Books, February 2009), to serve as the green footwear brand’s Eco Consultant.

Payless ShoeSource Zoe & Zac

Payless ShoeSource also announced the immediate availability of its new Zoe & Zac brand, which offers “fresh green fashion”(TM) with a full collection of shoes, handbags, jewelry and socks for under $30 an item — making it the first-ever affordable line of green footwear and accessories. The Zoe & Zac products are green because they are made from eco-friendly components and materials such as organic cottons and linen, natural hemp, recycled rubber outsoles, eco-friendly-EVA cushioning, and water-based glues for the shoes. Natural materials like dyed Tagua and Acai nuts are incorporated into the jewelry. The product packaging is eco-smart as well, utilizing 100 percent recycled shoe boxes and soy-based inks for the printing.

About Summer Rayne Oakes

Summer Rayne Oakes is a model-activist and spokesperson, resident expert, and youngest board of advisors for Planet Green, Discovery Network’s new eco- lifestyle channel. The Cornell University graduate and environmental scholar has received media accolades including Vanity Fair naming her a Global Citizen, Outside naming her one of the Top Environmental Activists, Cosmopolitan naming her Fun, Fearless Female of 2007, and CNN’s Nicole Lapin nominating her as a “Young Person Who Rocks.” Through her work as a consultant Summer Rayne advises companies and organizations, and works on sustainable development and environmental programs in the U.S. and abroad. In February 2009, she’ll release her first book, Style, Naturally: The Savvy Shopping Guide to Sustainable Fashion & Beauty published by Chronicle Books.

This is a big step for Payless ShoeSource, a moderate price shoe retailer, joining the eco fashion footwear market. High end retailers have paved the way by offering successful fashionable lines for several years. Payless’ announced eco collaborations will certainly make purchasing eco friendly shoes more widely accessible, which is ultimately a benefit for eco conscious consumers and the environment regardless of the price point.

Okay, this post has nothing to do with eco friendly shoes, but everything to do with promoting a cause important to furthering eco awareness. PETA is an organization that is synonymous with protecting animals. Albeit from time to time PETA has no problem raising a few eyebrows in the process. Well, they’ve really caught my attention this time. PETA has named Amber and Monty the Sexiest Vegetarians Next Door 2009. Both are very deserving of the title, not just because they are beautiful people, but because they epitomize the commitment to an enviro-friendly lifestyle that we all can strive for.

PETA, synonymous with animal rights, has an ongoing celebrity anti-fur awareness campaign makes reality TV. Tonight’s episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians features the transformation of one of their newest spokesmodels, Khloe Kardashian.